# Sermon Notes — March 1, 2026
📺 **Full Service Recording:** [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc)
## Liturgical Context
### Christian Calendar
- **Season:** Lent
- **Week:** Second Sunday in Lent — "Disruptive Blessings"
- **Liturgical Year:** Year A (Matthew)
- **Liturgical Color:** Purple — penitence, preparation, and royalty
### Hebrew Calendar
- **Date:** 12 Adar 5786 (approximately)
- **Observances:** Eve of Ta'anit Esther (Fast of Esther); Purim begins sundown March 2
### Ecumenical Observances
- None noted
### Revised Common Lectionary Readings (Year A, Lent 2)
The church is using readings from _The Work of Imagination_ (Illustrated Ministry) rather than the standard RCL for this service. Standard RCL readings for this date:
- **Old Testament:** Genesis 12:1-4a — [[Genesis 12#1]]
- **Psalm:** Psalm 121 — [[Psalm 121#1]]
- **Epistle:** Romans 4:1-5, 13-17 — [[Romans 4#1]]
- **Gospel:** John 3:1-17 — [[John 3#1]]
### Readings Used in This Service
- **First Reading:** James 1:19-27
- **Second Reading / Sermon Text:** Luke 6:17-36
---
## Service Information
- **Church:** St. John's United Church of Christ
- **Date:** March 1, 2026
- **Time:** 10:00 am
- **Pastor:** Rev. Caroline E. Saxton
- **Denomination:** United Church of Christ (UCC)
- **Worship Resources:** _The Work of Imagination_ Lenten liturgy & commentary © 2026 Illustrated Ministry
---
## Order of Worship
_*Please stand in body or in spirit_
### Gathering
#### Gathering Song — "This is the Day"
#### Unison Welcome [▶ 24:57](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=1497s)
"No matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here" [▶ 25:17](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=1517s)
#### Announcements [▶ 25:38](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=1538s)
**Art Showcase** — Roxanne Davenport [▶ 25:43](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=1543s) Roxanne reminded the congregation of the upcoming art showcase in March. All talents welcome — crossstitch, coloring, painting, anything. Items for the silent auction benefit the food pantry; items just for display are also welcome. Each submission should include a short blurb about how the art/craft connects to the maker's faith journey. Submissions needed ASAP — deliver to the church office, Diana Kongkeattikul, or Roxanne.
#### Mission Moment — John Briner [▶ 27:17](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=1637s)
John highlighted the three recipients of this year's Lenten offering: the Adopt-a-School program in Peru, African Mission Healthcare, and the United Church of Christ Emergency Fund. Donation methods include baskets at the exits, Lenten boxes for accumulated change, and bills/checks ("a lot lighter and can actually provide more assistance"). John encouraged the congregation to dig deep and exceed last year's Lenten offering. More detail on each recipient will be shared over the next three weeks. [▶ 27:42](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=1662s)
#### Chiming of the Trinity
#### Prelude
#### *Call to Worship [▶ 32:16](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=1936s)
_from The Work of Imagination_
Come into God's presence, you who imagine and you who seek, you who disrupt and you who repair.
**By the Spirit, we gather in hope.**
Come into God's fellowship, you who are broken and blessed, you who show mercy, as God has first been merciful to you.
**In Christ, we gather in blessing.**
Come into God's presence, singing for joy and for justice; bringing prayer and worship, your most faithful acts of resistance.
**To God be the glory! We gather to praise!**
#### *Opening Hymn #495 — "Called as Partners in Christ's Service" [▶ 33:06](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=1986s)
**Hymnal:** #495 **Author:** Jane Parker Huber, 1981 **Tune:** BEECHER 8.7.8.7.D. **Composer:** John Zundel, 1855 **Copyright:** Words © 1981 Jane Parker Huber **Notes:** Originally written for a women's breakfast at the 1981 Presbyterian General Assembly meeting to celebrate the partnership of women and men in service of the church.
> Called as Partners in Christ's Service Jane Parker Huber, 1981 | Hymn 495 Scripture: John 15:12–17; Gal. 6:2; Eph. 2:14–22 Tune: BEECHER 8.7.8.7.D.
Called as partners in Christ's service, called to ministries of grace, we respond with deep commitment fresh new lines of faith to trace. May we learn the art of sharing, side by side and friend with friend, equal partners in our caring to fulfill God's chosen end.
Christ's example, Christ's inspiring, Christ's clear call to work and worth, let us follow, never faltering, reconciling folk on earth. Men and women, richer, poorer, all God's people, young and old, blending human skills together gracious gifts from God unfold.
Thus new patterns for Christ's mission, in a small or global sense, help us bear each other's burdens, breaking down each wall or fence. Words of comfort, words of vision, words of challenge, said with care, bring new power and strength for action, make us colleagues, free and fair.
So God grant us for tomorrow ways to order human life that surround each person's sorrow with a calm that conquers strife. Make us partners in our living, our compassion to increase, messengers of faith, thus giving hope and confidence and peace.
---
### Word
#### Call to Confession [▶ 36:38](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=2198s)
_from The Work of Imagination_
Siblings in Christ, let us confess our sins to God, for God knows our weaknesses and our choices, and yet imagines for us a life of wholeness and peace.
#### Prayer of Confession [▶ 36:52](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=2212s)
_from The Work of Imagination_
God, who delivers people from their suffering, you sent Jesus to show us that our ways are not your ways. **You told us to bless the poor, to make peace with our neighbors, to share what we have with others, and to live our faith through quiet actions. Yet we often fail this calling. Forgive us, God, where and when we have slipped into the world's ways of hate, greed, and violence. Guide us into faithfulness once again, for your ways are loving, just, and compassionate. Amen.**
#### Kyrie [▶ 37:40](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=2260s)
Hymnal Companion C-4
#### Assurance of Pardon [▶ 38:16](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=2296s)
_from The Work of Imagination_
Beloved, God knows our tendency to prioritize ourselves and our groups, but God calls us to think bigger, to see all of humanity as our neighborhood. God will help us grow and mature into loving followers of Jesus who treat our neighbors with love. Receive God's free gift of grace and be at peace. Amen.
#### *Glory Be to the Father #704 [▶ 38:51](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=2331s)
> Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, Amen.
#### *Passing of the Peace [▶ 39:26](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=2366s)
As we walk through the wild wilderness of Lent, we imagine a world where all creation is at peace. We imagine a world without war, where creation flourishes and children are safe. Let these dreams of peace begin here as we share the peace of Christ with one another. May the peace of Christ be with you. **And also with you.**
#### Scripture Reading: James 1:19-27 [▶ 40:55](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=2455s)
![[James 1#19]] ![[James 1#20]] ![[James 1#21]] ![[James 1#22]] ![[James 1#23]] ![[James 1#24]] ![[James 1#25]] ![[James 1#26]] ![[James 1#27]]
#### Anthem — "My Song is Love Unknown" [▶ 43:09](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=2589s)
Setting by Carl Schalk
#### Children's Message — Roxanne Davenport [▶ 45:45](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=2745s)
Roxanne brought a sand timer (hourglass) and asked the children how they see Jesus in it. Answers included sand (connecting to biblical times) and the shape. She connected it to the Beatitudes — Jesus' teaching on the mount where he turned the world "upside down." She walked through the blessings: blessed are the poor, the hungry, those who weep, those who are excluded.
Key teaching points:
- God's love is for everyone, but _especially_ for those who need it most — the poor, the hungry, the sad, those without friends, those without shelter
- Jesus came to turn things upside down — the powerful getting what they want isn't God's intention
- Jesus taught us to be disciples: learners and followers who go out and show love, mercy, fairness, and justice
- The children composed their own beatitudes: "Blessed are those who don't have any friends, that they may play with someone on the playground" and "Blessed are those who are homeless, that they may find shelter"
- "Sometimes it's us who need that extra blessing. And sometimes it's up to us to help carry Jesus's blessings and do his work."
Closing prayer: "Lord, we thank you for turning our world upside down. It sorely needs it, and each of us knows someone who needs that extra special blessing. Help us to be your instruments to go out into the world and do your work. In your son's name we pray. Amen." [▶ 53:08](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=3188s)
_Children's Corner will be offered following the Children's Message — Rebecca Pound_ [▶ 53:32](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=3212s)
#### Scripture Reading: Luke 6:17-36 [▶ 53:47](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=3227s)
"Listen for what the spirit is saying." [▶ 53:55](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=3235s)
![[Luke 6#17]] ![[Luke 6#18]] ![[Luke 6#19]] ![[Luke 6#20]] ![[Luke 6#21]] ![[Luke 6#22]] ![[Luke 6#23]] ![[Luke 6#24]] ![[Luke 6#25]] ![[Luke 6#26]] ![[Luke 6#27]] ![[Luke 6#28]] ![[Luke 6#29]] ![[Luke 6#30]] ![[Luke 6#31]] ![[Luke 6#32]] ![[Luke 6#33]] ![[Luke 6#34]] ![[Luke 6#35]] ![[Luke 6#36]]
"This is the word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God." [▶ 57:05](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=3425s)
#### Sermon — Rev. Caroline E. Saxton [▶ 57:12](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=3432s)
##### Sermon Title
"Disruptive Blessings"
##### Opening Prayer [▶ 57:12](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=3432s)
"Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on us. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of all our hearts be acceptable to you, oh God. For you are our rock and our redeemer. Amen."
##### Introduction [▶ 57:35](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=3455s)
The preacher opened with a personal story about airport delays — first in Phoenix (weather in the Northeast, violence in Mexico disrupting flights), then again on a return trip through D.C., sitting among 54 delayed flights with nothing to do but wait and write a sermon. [▶ 57:35](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=3455s)
She also mentioned she had driven back down to D.C. on Friday to move her brother to a better care setting, and the three-hour delay didn't prevent her from accomplishing what she set out to do. [▶ 58:33](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=3513s)
This led into a reference to the children's book _We're Going on a Bear Hunt_: "We can't go over it. We can't go under it. We can't go around it. We have to go through it." Life doesn't let us skip the hard parts. We must go through them — but not alone. Jesus promises to be with us, and when we show up for one another, we embody that promise. [▶ 59:17](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=3557s)
##### Main Points
###### Point 1: Faith Is Action, Not Just Words [▶ 60:03](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=3603s)
Both Jesus and James remind us that faith shows up in action. We are "doers of the word, not merely hearers." We are part of the story, actors in God's drama, helping to make the world new. Following Jesus creates a faith that intrinsically links belief with action — a faith that calls for strength that can look like weakness, deep trust in God's abundance, and willingness to listen when our impulse is to respond. [▶ 60:11](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=3611s)
Jesus' Sermon on the Plain is not an easy blessing but a _disruptive_ one. He is unequivocal in his statements of blessing and woe, fiercely declaring God is on the side of the oppressed and impatient with harmful systems. He upends ancient assumptions about blessing and warns those who benefit from systems of privilege and excess. Jesus speaks plainly, directly to those gathered — to some, his words are a relief; for others, his words come as a shock. [▶ 60:42](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=3642s)
"In Luke, Jesus doesn't shy away from talking about poverty and wealth. He is concerned with economics, not just eternity." [▶ 61:34](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=3694s)
**Scripture connections:** [[James 1#22]] (doers of the word, not merely hearers); [[Luke 6#20]] – [[Luke 6#26]] (blessings and woes)
###### Point 2: Loving Our Enemies — The Hardest Command [▶ 61:43](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=3703s)
The preacher zeroed in on "love your enemies" ([[Luke 6#27]]) as the sermon's focal point. While hopefully none of us have true enemies, we all have people who push our buttons, annoy us, have wronged us — and we are also that person for someone else. [▶ 62:03](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=3723s)
"It's impossible to live in this world without offending someone or being offended ourselves. This is not just performative outrage. It can be real pain stemming from a misunderstanding or a judgment, a stereotype or an assumption." [▶ 62:24](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=3744s)
Social media is designed to connect but also divides, encouraging tribalism: "We've become tribal. You're either with me or you're against me. There doesn't seem to be a whole lot of middle ground." [▶ 62:43](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=3763s)
Loving those who hate you, who say your life has less value, who delight in harming others — that is extraordinarily hard. Yet the golden rule ([[Luke 6#31]]) applies universally, not just to those who already like us. [▶ 63:14](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=3794s)
"Loving those who hate us or who we wish to hate is part of how we show our love for Christ. Jesus tells us to look to and choose the common good. We are part of something greater than ourselves. We are part of God's story of redemption and return. Part of God's story of resurrection and new life." [▶ 64:09](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=3849s)
"Hatred changes nothing. Love changes everything. Hate excludes. Love includes." [▶ 64:34](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=3874s)
A _Fiddler on the Roof_ reference illustrated tongue-in-cheek blessings for the oppressor: "May God bless and keep the Tsar — far away from us." Jesus asks people intimately familiar with imperial violence to bless those who have no desire to bless them back. [▶ 65:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=3900s)
"At the same time, this is not what Jesus asks of us — to ask for tongue-in-cheek blessings for those who have no desire to bless us. Jesus tells his listeners to do good to people who have no intention of doing good to them." [▶ 65:34](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=3934s)
###### Point 3: Choosing Another Path — Imagination, Generosity, and Nonviolence [▶ 66:04](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=3964s)
"We still recognize that things are not as they should be. We work within what is while also working for what might be." Jesus invites our imagination, active participation, and collaboration with the kingdom of God. God's kingdom grows when generosity is wider than expected — generosity of heart, spirit, and possession ([[Luke 6#35]]). [▶ 66:04](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=3964s)
"Violence only begets more violence. If we always do what we've always done, we'll always get what we've always gotten." We must choose another path: the path of love and mercy. [▶ 66:35](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=3995s)
"Maintaining an open heart and a willing spirit helps us to be transformed by God, to be able to see how God is at work and to be inspired and encouraged as we work for good." [▶ 66:58](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=4018s)
"Jesus offers us disruptive blessings, helping us to chart a new way of life, a way of love." [▶ 67:14](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=4034s)
The preacher connected this to music and art as expressions of resistance [▶ 67:28](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=4048s), then to a personal experience — her 2003 high school spring play, _A Piece of My Heart_, about women in the Vietnam War (five nurses and one country western singer booked to entertain the troops), staged against the backdrop of the U.S. invasion of Iraq. "It's an emotional story that does not glorify war." [▶ 67:43](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=4063s)
She drew a line to recent events in Iran, specifically referencing a strike on Shahara Taibet Girls Elementary in Minhahab that killed 148 children. "Girls who wanted to learn. Girls who had their whole lives ahead of them." [▶ 68:21](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=4101s)
"Violence won't get us what we think we want. Violent means do not bring peace. Loving our enemies does not involve actively killing them. We may not have to share the same faith for me to affirm that the life of an Iranian has just the same value as mine." [▶ 68:41](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=4121s)
**Closing charge:** [▶ 69:05](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=4145s)
"Following Jesus means choosing mercy instead of revenge. Real love means caring even when it's hard or inconvenient."
"Do not let differences of opinion become the only thing that matters. Do not allow your heart to be hardened. Jesus erases the lines that we draw. We must channel our energy to following in his ways, not the ways of the world." [▶ 69:28](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=4168s)
"Keep showing up. Keep working for change. Do not be dismayed by the challenges that lie ahead, by those who say we're wasting our time or resources. Keep choosing love." [▶ 69:48](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=4188s)
The John Wesley rule — "Do all the good you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, with all the people you can, as long as ever you can." [▶ 70:04](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=4204s)
"May we be those with ears to hear. May we be listening. And may we not only be hearers of the word, but doers of it. May we embrace and embody Jesus' disruptive blessings. Amen." [▶ 70:36](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=4236s)
##### Illustrations and Stories
|Illustration|Timestamp|Function|Effectiveness|
|---|---|---|---|
|**Airport delays (Phoenix, D.C.)**|[▶ 57:35](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=3455s)|Entry point; preacher's vulnerability; metaphor for "going through" hard things|Effective — relatable, low-stakes, warms congregation|
|_**We're Going on a Bear Hunt**_|[▶ 59:17](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=3557s)|Theological anchor: we cannot avoid suffering, only go through it|Strong — accessible across ages, memorable refrain, theologically apt|
|**_Fiddler on the Roof_ (rabbi's blessing for the Tsar)**|[▶ 65:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=3900s)|Tongue-in-cheek resistance under empire; connects to Jesus' audience under Roman occupation|Excellent — holds humor and horror together, illuminates social context|
|**2003 high school play: _A Piece of My Heart_**|[▶ 67:43](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=4063s)|Personal memory bridge to current events; emotional grounding for antiwar stance|Good but underdeveloped — could have drawn out the connection more|
|**Strike on Shahara Taibet Girls Elementary**|[▶ 68:21](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=4101s)|Prophetic naming of current violence; "violent means do not bring peace"|Powerful but risky — named specifically, prophetic impact is high|
|**John Wesley quote**|[▶ 70:04](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=4204s)|Closing exhortation to sustained action|Effective closer — portable, memorable charge|
##### Scripture Connections
**Explicitly referenced:**
- [[Luke 6#17]] – [[Luke 6#36]] — Primary text (Sermon on the Plain) [▶ 53:55](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=3235s)
- [[James 1#22]] — Doers of the word, not merely hearers (referenced broadly, not by chapter/verse) [▶ 60:11](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=3611s)
**Implicit or thematic connections not made in the sermon but relevant:**
- [[Luke 1#46]] – [[Luke 1#55]] — Mary's Magnificat (Lukan reversal theology)
- [[Luke 4#16]] – [[Luke 4#30]] — Nazareth sermon (Jesus' programmatic statement in Luke)
- [[Matthew 5#1]] – [[Matthew 5#12]] — Sermon on the Mount parallel (for comparison)
- [[Amos 5#24]] — Let justice roll down like waters (prophetic parallel)
- [[Isaiah 61#1]] – [[Isaiah 61#2]] — Good news to the poor (Jesus quotes in Luke 4)
- [[John 13#14]] – [[John 13#15]] — Assigned NL432 reading: foot-washing as servant love (thematic overlap with enemy-love)
##### Key Quotes
> "We can't go over it. We can't go under it. We can't go around it. We have to go through it." [▶ 59:23](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=3563s)
> "Jesus doesn't offer us an easy path — he offers us disruptive blessings." [▶ 60:42](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=3642s)
> "Hatred changes nothing. Love changes everything." [▶ 64:34](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=3874s)
> "Hate excludes. Love includes." [▶ 64:41](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=3881s)
> "Violence only begets more violence." [▶ 66:35](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=3995s)
> "Loving our enemies does not involve actively killing them." [▶ 68:50](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=4130s)
> "Do not let differences of opinion become the only thing that matters. Do not allow your heart to be hardened." [▶ 69:28](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=4168s)
> "Keep showing up. Keep working for change... Keep choosing love." [▶ 69:48](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=4188s)
> "Do all the good you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, with all the people you can, as long as ever you can." — John Wesley [▶ 70:04](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=4204s)
> "May we not only be hearers of the word, but doers of it." [▶ 70:43](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=4243s)
---
#### Personal Reflections
##### What Spoke to Me
The _Fiddler on the Roof_ illustration was particularly powerful — it captures the absurd tension of blessing those who oppress you without minimizing the real harm of imperial violence. It holds both the humor and the horror together, which is exactly what Jesus seems to be doing in the Sermon on the Plain. The preacher's willingness to name current military violence against children was also striking; this is prophetic preaching that refuses to keep "love your enemies" abstract.
##### Questions Raised
- How do we distinguish between loving our enemies and enabling harm? The sermon named nonviolence clearly, but what does "love your enemy" look like when the enemy is actively killing children?
- The preacher mentioned that Jesus is "impatient with harmful systems" — how do we hold that prophetic impatience alongside the call to mercy and non-retaliation?
- What does it mean to "bless those who curse you" ([[Luke 6#28]]) when you're the one with relative power versus when you're the one under the boot? Does the command function differently depending on social location?
- Why was Luke 6 chosen over the NL432 assigned reading of [[John 13#1]] – [[John 13#17]]? The foot-washing text carries its own powerful servant-love theology that would have complemented the enemy-love theme. Was this a guest preacher's independent choice?
##### Challenges to My Thinking
The sermon's directness about current military violence pushes against any tendency to spiritualize "love your enemies" into a private, interior posture. It also challenges the NAR-adjacent tendency to align Christian faith with national military power — the sermon explicitly decouples following Jesus from "the ways of the world." The framing of blessings as _disruptive_ rather than comfortable is a corrective to prosperity-gospel logic that equates blessing with material comfort and divine favor with worldly success.
The equivocation around "enemy" (interpersonal irritation vs. imperial systems vs. geopolitical violence) raises an important hermeneutical question: does Jesus' command function the same way at all three levels? Walter Wink's "third way" reading of [[Luke 6#29]] (turning the other cheek as nonviolent resistance, not passive submission) would sharpen this significantly.
##### Liturgical Context Reflections
The Lenten season provides a frame of self-examination and repentance that makes "love your enemies" land differently than it would in Ordinary Time. During Lent, we're already invited to confront our own complicity, our hardened hearts, our tendency toward tribalism. The "Disruptive Blessings" theme intensifies this: Jesus' blessings and woes in Luke 6 disrupt the conventional expectation that God rewards the comfortable and punishes the suffering. The woes aren't curses — they're prophetic warnings that those who have "received their consolation" in worldly comfort have confused the empire's rewards for God's. In a Lenten context, this becomes an invitation to examine where we are positioned in the blessings-and-woes framework and whether our comfort has come at someone else's expense.
The assigned NL reading — foot-washing in [[John 13#1]] – [[John 13#17]] — would have provided a powerful Lenten embodied practice. The absence of any kinesthetic or embodied element (foot-washing, anointing, kneeling) in this sermon is a missed Lenten opportunity.
The proximity to **Purim** (14 Adar / March 4, 2026) adds another layer — both texts deal with communities navigating life under imperial power, and both feature dramatic reversals of expectation.
---
#### Applications
##### Action Items
- [ ] Identify one person or group I struggle to "love" and commit to a concrete practice of prayer or goodwill toward them — not performative, but a genuine discipline of holding them in compassion
- [ ] Examine my social media consumption: where is the algorithm feeding tribalism and outrage rather than connection? Consider a Lenten discipline of curating feeds toward generosity rather than division
- [ ] Sit with the question of what "disruptive blessing" looks like in my own pastoral context at St. John's — where are we comfortable when we should be disrupted? Bring this into sermon planning or congregational conversation
- [ ] Read Walter Wink on [[Luke 6#29]] (nonviolent resistance) to deepen understanding of the "third way" reading of turning the other cheek
- [ ] Revisit the NL432 assigned text ([[John 13#1]] – [[John 13#17]]) and consider how foot-washing and enemy-love relate theologically
##### People to Pray For
- Those affected by military violence, particularly children and families
- Those navigating political polarization and tribal division
- Guest/visiting preachers who carry the prophetic word into unfamiliar congregations
- The congregation of St. John's as we journey through Lent
##### Follow-Up Study
- Walter Wink, _Engaging the Powers_ — nonviolent resistance in the Sermon on the Plain
- Howard Thurman, _Jesus and the Disinherited_ — enemy-love from the perspective of the oppressed
- Mitri Raheb, _Faith in the Face of Empire_ — Palestinian Christian perspective on loving enemies under occupation
- Compare Luke 6:20–26 with Matthew 5:3–12 — what does Luke's second-person address and inclusion of woes change?
- Explore the Greek: _makarios_ (blessed/flourishing) and _ouai_ (woe/alas) in Luke 6
- N.T. Wright on Luke's reversal theology and the Magnificat connection
##### Connections
- **Previous sermons:** Track whether this preacher or St. John's has engaged Luke's reversal theology before
- **NAR research:** The "disruptive blessings" framing is a useful counter-framework to prosperity-gospel "blessing" theology. Note how the woes to the rich ([[Luke 6#24]] – [[Luke 6#26]]) directly challenge the "blessed = wealthy/healthy/powerful" equation
- **Deconstruction work:** The sermon's insistence that following Jesus means decoupling from "the ways of the world" resonates with the lateral-transfer vs. genuine-deconstruction framework — enemy-love is a marker of genuine transformation, not just a change of theological team
---
#### Comprehensive Sermon Analysis with Scoring Rubric
> [!info] Analysis Methodology This analysis uses a 13-section rubric, each scored 1–5. Total possible score: 65. The analysis evaluates preaching style, exegetical depth, theological reasoning, engagement, inclusivity, and effectiveness.
---
##### 🗒 Sermon Summary — Score: 4/5
**Central Message:** The sermon's central claim is that Jesus offers "disruptive blessings" rather than comfortable ones. Rather than affirming existing power structures, Jesus' Sermon on the Plain upends assumptions about who is blessed and who is warned. The primary application zeroes in on the command to love enemies — framed not as abstract theology but as the concrete, daily, countercultural practice that distinguishes Christian discipleship. The preacher links this to both personal transformation (refusing to let hearts harden, choosing mercy over revenge) and communal responsibility (working for systemic change, resisting the violence of empire, showing up for one another).
The sermon emphasizes both dimensions: personal interior work (keeping an open heart, refusing tribalism) and external action (nonviolent resistance, generosity that exceeds expectation, prophetic witness against military violence). This dual emphasis avoids both pietistic individualism and detached social-gospel abstractness.
**Liturgical/Thematic Focus:** The sermon connects well to Lent's call to self-examination and repentance. However, the Narrative Lectionary assigns [[John 13#1]] – [[John 13#17]] (Jesus Washes Feet) for this Sunday (NL432), not Luke 6. The thematic connection to Lent is strong regardless, but the departure from the assigned reading is worth noting.
> **Notes:** Strong integration of Lenten self-examination with the text's prophetic edge. Central message is clear and consistently developed. Docked slightly for the lectionary misalignment and because the "disruptive blessings" framing, while effective, could have been developed with more theological specificity about what makes these blessings disruptive versus the prosperity-gospel model of "blessing."
---
##### 🎙 Preaching Style Assessment — Score: 4/5
**Primary Styles Identified:**
|Style|Presence|Evidence|
|---|---|---|
|Narrative|Primary|Airport delay stories, _Bear Hunt_, _Fiddler on the Roof_, Vietnam play — stories drive the sermon's movement|
|Prophetic|Strong Secondary|Direct naming of military violence, systemic critique, call to nonviolence|
|Topical|Structural Frame|"Loving enemies" selected from the text; organized around this topic rather than verse-by-verse|
|Conversational|Moderate|"I really hope none of us has enemies" — direct, warm address|
|Inductive|Mild|Begins with airport experience, builds toward harder claims|
|Expository|Minimal|Text is read but not exegeted in detail|
**Blend and Appropriateness:** The blend of narrative and prophetic styles is the sermon's signature strength. The preacher earns the right to speak prophetically by first establishing personal vulnerability (airport frustrations, high school memories) and congregational warmth (direct address, humor). The prophetic turn — naming the killing of 148 girls in an elementary school — lands because it's grounded in the relational trust built through story.
The topical organization (centering on "love your enemies") serves the sermon's accessibility but comes at a cost: the blessings and woes that open the passage receive only brief attention before the sermon moves to the enemy-love material.
> **Notes:** Effective narrative-prophetic blend. Style serves both the text and the congregation well. Loses a point because the prophetic elements could be more deeply grounded in exegesis rather than relying primarily on current events.
---
##### 🧵 Storytelling and Illustration — Score: 4/5
The illustrations draw from Western cultural references (children's literature, Broadway musical, American high school experience). No explicit voices from women theologians, Black church tradition, Global South perspectives, or LGBTQ+ experience are incorporated. The _Fiddler on the Roof_ reference does engage Jewish experience under imperial oppression, which is a strength. The stories are balanced with scripture — they serve the text rather than overshadowing it — though more diverse sourcing would strengthen inclusivity.
> **Notes:** Engaging, well-paced storytelling that serves the text. The _Fiddler_ reference is the standout. Docked for limited diversity of cultural sourcing and the slightly underdeveloped Vietnam play connection.
---
##### 🗣 Intonation and Delivery — Score: 3/5
Assessment is limited to what the transcript reveals. Caveats apply throughout. The YouTube recording is now available for full audio/video assessment: [▶ Full Sermon](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=3455s)
- The transcript suggests a conversational, warm tone with natural pacing. Sentences vary between short, punchy declarations ("Hatred changes nothing. Love changes everything.") and longer reflective passages.
- Repetition is used effectively as a rhetorical device: "It is hard to love..." repeated three times builds emotional momentum. [▶ 63:33](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=3813s)
- The shift from personal anecdote to prophetic naming of violence creates a tonal arc — from light to heavy, from airport inconvenience to children's deaths.
- The closing uses imperative verbs ("Keep showing up. Keep working for change.") suggesting energized, exhortative delivery. [▶ 69:48](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=4188s)
- Transcript artifacts (garbled phrases, unclear transitions) make full assessment difficult.
> **Notes:** Scored conservatively due to transcript-only assessment. What's visible suggests dynamic range and effective rhetorical pacing. Audio/video assessment would likely score higher.
---
##### 📝 Content Structure — Score: 4/5
**Structural Outline:**
|Section|Timestamp|Content|Function|
|---|---|---|---|
|Opening Prayer|[▶ 57:12](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=3432s)|"Spirit of the living God, fall afresh..."|Invocation; centers congregation|
|Introduction|[▶ 57:35](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=3455s)|Airport delay stories; _Bear Hunt_ metaphor|Personal entry; "going through" hard things|
|Bridge|[▶ 60:03](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=3603s)|Faith is action (James reference)|Theological framing|
|Thesis|[▶ 60:42](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=3642s)|"Jesus doesn't offer an easy path — he offers disruptive blessings"|Central claim announced|
|Body — Blessings/Woes|[▶ 60:52](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=3652s)|Brief treatment of Jesus' reversal|Contextualizes social critique|
|Body — Love Your Enemies|[▶ 61:43](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=3703s)|Focal point; social media tribalism; Golden Rule universalized|Primary application|
|Prophetic Turn|[▶ 65:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=3900s)|_Fiddler_; Vietnam play; military violence against children|Personal to systemic|
|Closing Exhortation|[▶ 69:05](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=4145s)|Keep showing up; John Wesley quote|Call to sustained action|
The structure follows a clear inductive arc: personal vulnerability → theological framing → textual engagement → prophetic application → exhortation. Transitions are mostly smooth, though the move from social media tribalism to _Fiddler on the Roof_ feels slightly abrupt. Repetition of key phrases supports retention.
> **Notes:** Clear arc with effective movement from personal to prophetic. One slightly rough transition and the brevity of the blessings/woes section keeps this from a 5.
---
##### 👥 Engagement and Application — Score: 4/5
The sermon addresses the congregation directly throughout: "I really hope none of us has enemies," "all of us have people in our lives who push our buttons." This positions listeners as participants rather than passive observers. The preacher's self-implication ("we are also that person") avoids the prophetic trap of pointing outward without self-examination.
**Applications offered:**
- **Personal:** Refuse to let differences harden your heart; choose mercy over revenge; examine social media habits
- **Communal:** Show up for one another; keep working for change
- **Systemic:** Recognize that violent means do not bring peace; affirm equal value of all human lives
**Inclusivity:** The sermon names children killed in military strikes as having equal value. The golden rule "applies universally." However, the sermon does not explicitly name or include marginalized communities (LGBTQ+ persons, disabled persons, racial minorities) in its vision of who is oppressed.
> **Notes:** Strong engagement and self-implication. Could be strengthened by more explicit inclusion of local, intersectional justice concerns.
---
##### 📖 Scripture Handling — Score: 2/5
**Scriptures Referenced:**
|Scripture|Role|Depth|
|---|---|---|
|[[Luke 6#17]] – [[Luke 6#36]]|Primary text — read in full, thematically anchors sermon|Moderate: summarized and applied but not exegeted|
|[[James 1#22]] (general)|Supporting — "doers of the word, not merely hearers"|Light: referenced without citation|
|John Wesley (closing quote)|Exhortational|Tradition reference, not scripture|
**Exegetical Depth:**
- **Historical/Cultural Context:** Not explored. No first-century Palestinian context, Roman imperial dynamics, or socioeconomic conditions of Jesus' audience.
- **Original Language:** No Greek analysis. _Makarios_ ("blessed/flourishing") and _ouai_ ("woe/alas") not examined — a missed opportunity to deepen the "disruptive blessings" thesis.
- **Cross-References:** Minimal. No integration with Lukan material (Magnificat [[Luke 1#46]] – [[Luke 1#55]], Nazareth sermon [[Luke 4#16]] – [[Luke 4#30]]), OT prophetic parallels ([[Amos 5#24]], [[Isaiah 61#1]]), or Johannine parallels from the NL year.
- **Scripture as Foundation vs. Launchpad:** The text functions primarily as a launchpad for the topical theme of enemy-love. Blessings and woes receive brief thematic summary rather than sustained engagement.
**Justice Lens:** Scripture is used to emphasize nonviolence and equal human value, but the justice lens is applied through contemporary illustration rather than the text's own internal dynamics. Deeper engagement with Luke's distinctive economic reversal (the woes to the rich are unique to Luke) would have strengthened the justice reading.
> **Notes:** The sermon's weakest area. The text is honored thematically but not engaged with exegetical depth. No historical context, no original language, minimal cross-referencing. A stronger exegetical foundation would make the prophetic claims more theologically durable.
---
##### ⚖️ Logical Reasoning — Score: 3/5
**Strong Reasoning:**
- **Ethical reasoning:** Loving enemies as distinguishing mark of discipleship — clearly stated, consistently developed.
- **Cause-and-effect clarity:** "Violence only begets more violence" — straightforward causal argument.
- **Analogical reasoning:** Airport inconvenience → children's book → enemy-love creates effective movement from trivial to radical.
- **Self-implication:** "We are also that person" prevents one-sided moralism.
**Potential Fallacies:**
|Fallacy|Instance|Impact|Improvement|
|---|---|---|---|
|**Appeal to Emotion** (mild)|Naming 148 girls killed without fuller geopolitical context|Legitimate but could read as manipulative without complexity|Briefly acknowledge complexity while naming moral horror|
|**Hasty Generalization** (mild)|"Social media is designed to connect us, but it also serves to divide us"|Minor; most agree, but some social media fosters community|Qualify with "can also" or "often"|
|**False Dilemma** (structural)|Critiques "with or against" tribalism but sermon's own rhetoric sometimes mirrors this binary|Moderate|Acknowledge the messiness — not always clear who "the enemy" is|
|**Equivocation** (minor)|"Enemy" shifts between interpersonal, systemic, and geopolitical without distinction|Creates confusion about what listeners are asked to do|Distinguish levels and what love looks like at each|
> **Notes:** Ethical reasoning is the strongest logical mode. Fallacies are mild and common in prophetic preaching. The equivocation around "enemy" is the most significant issue.
---
##### 📚 References — Score: 2/5
|Reference|Type|Function|
|---|---|---|
|James (unspecified)|Scripture|Faith requires action|
|_We're Going on a Bear Hunt_ (Michael Rosen)|Children's literature|Endurance through suffering|
|_Fiddler on the Roof_ (Aleichem/Bock & Harnick)|Musical theater / Jewish literature|Blessed resistance under empire|
|_A Piece of My Heart_ (Shirley Lauro, 1991)|Play — personal memory, 2003 production|Emotional bridge to antiwar ethic|
|John Wesley|Methodist tradition|Closing exhortation|
**Missing Voices:** No theologians or scholars cited. No marginalized voices (Black theology, feminist theology, LGBTQ+ theology, disability theology, Global South). For a prophetic sermon on enemy-love and nonviolence, the absence of Martin Luther King Jr., Howard Thurman, Desmond Tutu, Wilda Gafney, or Palestinian Christian theologians (Mitri Raheb, Naim Ateek) is notable.
> **Notes:** References used are effective, especially _Fiddler_. But the absence of theological, scholarly, or marginalized voices significantly limits depth. _Updated:_ The Vietnam play has been identified as _A Piece of My Heart_ by Shirley Lauro (1991), about six American women's experiences in the Vietnam War — five Army nurses and one USO entertainer.
---
##### 💬 Quotes and Illustrative Stories — Score: 4/5
**Standout Quotes:**
- "Jesus doesn't offer us an easy path — he offers us disruptive blessings." — Central thesis, memorable. [▶ 60:42](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=3642s)
- "Hatred changes nothing. Love changes everything. Hate excludes. Love includes." — Rhythmic, portable. [▶ 64:34](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=3874s)
- "Violence only begets more violence." — Direct, prophetic. [▶ 66:35](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=3995s)
- "Loving our enemies does not involve actively killing them." — Blunt, necessary. [▶ 68:50](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=4130s)
- "Do not let differences of opinion become the only thing that matters." — Pastoral and prophetic simultaneously. [▶ 69:28](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=4168s)
**Connection Assessment:** Quotes connect strongly to lived experience and broader theological truths. Weakest connection is to the biblical text itself — none of the memorable quotes engage the language of Luke 6 directly.
> **Notes:** Several memorable, portable quotes. Would be stronger if at least one engaged the biblical language (_makarios_, _ouai_, or a direct verse paraphrase).
---
##### 🔄 Calls to Action — Score: 3/5
|Call|Timestamp|Level|Specificity|
|---|---|---|---|
|"Keep showing up. Keep working for change."|[▶ 69:48](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=4188s)|Personal + Communal|Moderate — encouraging but nonspecific|
|"Do not allow your heart to be hardened"|[▶ 69:34](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=4174s)|Personal / Spiritual|Moderate — interior work as active choice|
|Wesley rule: "Do all the good you can..."|[▶ 70:04](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=4204s)|Personal + Communal|Broad — aspirational framework|
|"May we be doers of it"|[▶ 70:43](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=4243s)|Personal / Communal|Low — echoes James without naming concrete doing|
|Affirm equal value of all lives|[▶ 68:56](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=4136s)|Systemic|Implied rather than explicitly named as action|
The calls are aspirational and emotionally resonant but lack concrete specificity. No action steps, justice initiatives, congregational commitments, or embodied practices (like foot-washing from the assigned NL text) are named.
> **Notes:** Emotionally compelling but lacking actionable specificity. A stronger close would name one concrete practice or commitment.
---
##### 🧠 Style Effectiveness Analysis — Score: 4/5
**Did the Style Serve the Text?** The narrative-prophetic blend is well-suited to Luke 6's Sermon on the Plain, which is itself a direct, confrontational address. The conversational warmth mirrors Jesus' direct address. The prophetic turn mirrors Luke's interest in concrete economics and power dynamics. The style serves the text's spirit, even if it doesn't deeply engage its letter.
**Alternative Style Explorations:**
|Style|What Would Be Gained|What Would Be Lost|
|---|---|---|
|**Fully Expository**|Deep textual engagement; Lukan distinctives; _makarios_/_ouai_ carry more weight|Emotional accessibility; personal stories; prophetic immediacy|
|**Prophetic (fully)**|Prophetic clarity; mobilization; alignment with Luke's preferential option for the poor|Pastoral warmth; self-implication; accessibility|
|**Contemplative**|Deeper interior work; Lenten resonance; space for Spirit; resistance to burnout|Urgency; prophetic naming; current-events connection|
|**Narrative First-Person**|Imaginative empathy; inhabiting the text's social world; visceral specificity|Contemporary connections; preacher's vulnerability; prophetic bridge|
**Learning Styles Served:**
- **Auditory:** Well-served — varied tone, memorable phrases, repetition, storytelling
- **Intrapersonal:** Well-served — self-examination, reflection on personal "enemies"
- **Interpersonal:** Moderately served — communal language, but no interactive elements
- **Visual:** Minimally served — no visuals evident
- **Kinesthetic:** Not served — no embodied practice (foot-washing from NL432 would have been ideal)
> **Notes:** Effective style for this congregation and text. Strongest improvement: adding a contemplative or embodied element.
---
##### 📊 Final Scorecard
|Section|Score|Commentary|
|---|---|---|
|Sermon Summary|**4/5**|Clear message, strong Lenten integration, lectionary misalignment noted|
|Preaching Style|**4/5**|Effective narrative-prophetic blend; ground prophetic claims more in text|
|Storytelling|**4/5**|Engaging, well-paced; limited cultural diversity|
|Intonation/Delivery|**3/5**|Transcript-only; appears dynamic but conservatively scored|
|Content Structure|**4/5**|Clear inductive arc; one rough transition|
|Engagement/Application|**4/5**|Strong self-implication; expand intersectional inclusion|
|Scripture Handling|**2/5**|Weakest: no exegesis, no Greek, minimal cross-referencing|
|Logical Reasoning|**3/5**|Ethical reasoning strong; equivocation on "enemy"|
|References|**2/5**|No theologians or marginalized voices|
|Quotes|**4/5**|Memorable and portable; weak connection to biblical language|
|Calls to Action|**3/5**|Emotionally resonant but lacks specificity|
|Style Effectiveness|**4/5**|Well-suited; add contemplative/embodied element|
|**TOTAL**|**41/65 (63%)**|**Solid narrative-prophetic sermon with strong accessibility and emotional impact; significant room for growth in exegetical depth and theological sourcing**|
---
##### Side-by-Side Comparison: Narrative vs. Fully Exegetical
###### Preaching Style
|Aspect|Narrative/Prophetic (This Sermon)|Fully Exegetical Version|
|---|---|---|
|**Primary Style**|Narrative exposition with prophetic application|Verse-by-verse exegesis with historical-critical depth|
|**Stories**|Airport delays, _Bear Hunt_, _Fiddler_, Vietnam play, current events|Minimal outside stories; text's own narrative drives the sermon|
|**Scripture Depth**|Text as thematic launchpad for enemy-love focus|Explores Lukan distinctives, Greek terms, socio-economic context, Sermon on the Plain vs. Sermon on the Mount|
|**Application**|Personal reflection + prophetic naming of current violence|Begins with original meaning, then moves to communal/systemic application grounded in text's logic|
###### Scripture Handling
|Aspect|Narrative/Prophetic (This Sermon)|Fully Exegetical Version|
|---|---|---|
|**Historical Context**|Not explored; _Fiddler_ gestures toward life under empire|First-century Palestinian context; Roman dynamics; Luke's audience; reversal theology in Lukan corpus|
|**Word Study**|No Greek analysis|_Makarios_ ("blessed/flourishing") vs. _ouai_ ("woe/alas"); _agapao_ ("love") in enemy-love command; Luke's distinctive second-person address|
|**Justice Lens**|Focus on nonviolence via current events|Luke's economic reversals; woes to the rich as unique Lukan material; continuity with Magnificat and Nazareth sermon|
|**Cross-References**|James (general); John Wesley|Matthew 5 (comparison), Luke 4:16–30, Magnificat (1:46–55), Isaiah 61, Amos 5, Acts 2:42–47|
###### Logical Reasoning
|Aspect|Narrative/Prophetic (This Sermon)|Fully Exegetical Version|
|---|---|---|
|**Strengths**|Ethical reasoning; narrative persuasion; analogical movement from trivial to radical|Deductive reasoning from text; consistent theological logic; historical grounding prevents anachronism|
|**Fallacies**|Mild appeal to emotion; equivocation on "enemy"; mild false dilemma|Risk of appeal to authority (scholarly consensus); potential inaccessibility|
|**Balance**|Emotion-driven stories anchor moral points; self-implication prevents moralism|Scripture-driven reasoning; emotion flows from text itself; less accessible but more theologically durable|
###### Key Takeaway
> [!tip] Comparative Insight **Narrative/Prophetic (This Sermon):** Accessible, story-driven, strong personal application, emotionally compelling prophetic witness. Light on textual depth, limited theological sourcing, nonspecific calls to action.
>
> **Fully Exegetical Version:** Text-driven, historically grounded, systemic justice-oriented, theologically rich. Would sacrifice emotional accessibility and the prophetic immediacy of naming current violence.
>
> **The most impactful single improvement** would be integrating even basic Greek analysis (_makarios_/_ouai_) and one Lukan cross-reference (the Magnificat or Nazareth sermon) to anchor the "disruptive blessings" thesis in the scriptural tradition.
---
_Analysis prepared for pastoral study and homiletical reflection — St. John's UCC Chambersburg_
---
### Response
#### Sharing of Joys and Concerns [▶ 71:18](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=4278s)
- **Aaron** [▶ 71:38](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=4298s) — shares that his fourth nephew and wife are expecting a baby in October — we rejoice in the blessing of new life and pray for a healthy pregnancy and delivery. Also asks that we follow the actions of Jesus in response to the conflict in Iran and conflicts around the world — that we learn to be peacemakers, not just peacekeepers.
- **Roxanne** [▶ 73:17](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=4397s) — asks prayers for her college roommate Betty Joe Rimmer, whose husband recently passed away. As she grieves, she will create a new life. We pray for Betty Joe and all who love her.
- **Peter** [▶ 74:18](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=4458s) — Doris Oldham (Cindy Maring's mother) is in the ER this morning; she was hospitalized a few days last week for GI and dehydration issues — prayers for quick diagnosis and recovery. Tom Harrison is recovering from knee replacement surgery. Don Hendrickson is finally home from Hershey and on the road to recovery.
- **John** [▶ 75:28](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=4528s) — lifts up those being forced from their land — especially in Cambodia and the West Bank of Palestine / Israeli-occupied territories — that our hearts and minds remain open to the struggles of others.
- **Virginia** [▶ 76:46](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=4606s) — shares the joy that her friend became a grandmother; baby Henry James had some complications during delivery, but mother and baby are doing well. Also asks prayers for her client (she is a home health caregiver) who is disabled and needs medical equipment costing thousands of dollars not covered by insurance. Also prayers for anyone affected by chronic health conditions and cancer — that peace, grace, and wisdom guide their care teams.
- **Linda** [▶ 78:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=4710s) — Nancy and Dick Rebok are celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary 🎉 "You can't even buy a card for a 70th wedding anniversary."
- **Allan** [▶ 79:17](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=4757s) — asks prayers for his son David, who undergoes open-heart surgery Tuesday at the University of Pennsylvania for a leaking aortic valve (diagnosed at age seven or eight; doctors said he'd need surgery in his 30s–early 40s). In addition to the valve, he developed an aneurysm that requires open-heart surgery (cannot be done through the groin). Prayers for David, Jess, Alan, Lisa, Calvin, and all who love them.
- **Jim** [▶ 80:28](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=4828s) — joy of welcoming great-granddaughter #8, baby Renee (granddaughter Olivia's daughter). Also asks prayers for Henry Hopper, who spent time at Hershey, is now home, turned 90 ("he never expected to see 90") — happy birthday and happy healing. Also prayers for Mary Lynn's son Jeremy, who has developed shingles on his face — prayers that the shingles do not spread toward his eye and that medications provide relief. Jim also offered a beautiful image: like the Japanese tradition of folding a thousand paper cranes to hang above a hospital bed, all our prayers together are gathered by God and used for good.
- **Pastor Caroline** [▶ 83:14](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=4994s) — we pray for Denise and Sam Skipper; Sam fell this morning in the kitchen and injured his ribs — the same ribs he landed on when he fell last week. Prayers for Sam and for Denise.
- **Pastor Caroline** [▶ 83:49](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=5029s) — gives thanks for successfully moving her brother on Friday to a much better care setting (the three-hour flight delay didn't prevent her from accomplishing this). Prayers for his adjustment.
#### Prayers of the People and the Lord's Prayer (Debts) [▶ 84:23](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=5063s)
Holy One, you hear the prayers of our hearts and our lips — prayers of celebration, prayers of challenge, prayers of concern. Our prayers fill this room as they rise to you. You hold our prayers as you hold us with love. May we continue to show up for one another and our world. May we hold space for what hurts. May we laugh and rejoice with good news. Grant us wisdom. Grant us courage. Grant us good things, that we may continue to do good in this world. All this and more we ask in Jesus' name. Amen. [▶ 84:28](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=5068s)
_The Lord's Prayer (Debts)_ [▶ 85:32](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=5132s)
#### Invitation to Giving [▶ 86:10](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=5170s)
"We offer our gifts and our lives in service to God and God's people. May the work and witness we share extend the love and light of Jesus in the world."
#### Offertory
#### *Offertory Response — "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross" v. 4 [▶ 88:40](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=5320s)
**Author:** Isaac Watts, 1707 **Tune:** HAMBURG **Composer:** Lowell Mason, 1824 **Copyright:** Public domain
> Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were a present far too small; love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.
#### *Prayer of Dedication [▶ 89:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=5340s)
_from The Work of Imagination_
**Generous God, we bring our gifts before you and your church like tiny seeds from a dandelion. Send out these gifts on the mighty wind of your Spirit, bringing growth, bearing fruit, and nourishing both our faith community and our neighbors. May each gift of every size bloom with your holy imagination. Amen.**
#### Holy Communion [▶ 89:37](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=5377s)
_(liturgy on the screen)_ _We celebrate communion today via intinction, coming forward to the altar._
**Communion Invitation:** [▶ 89:37](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=5377s) "Now is the time and the service we set aside to remember. We remember Jesus who named and claimed this meal of bread and wine as holy. We remember countless others who came before us eating these same elements, inspired at this same table. We remember all those who will come after us eating these same elements, energized to continue the work of imagination."
"Know that when you come to the table, you don't come alone. Know that when you come to the table, you don't have to be perfect. Come with your fears to be reassured. Come with your frustrations to renew your hope. Come with your grief to be held in love. Come with your apathy to taste imagination. Come all of you with every part of you. Come."
**Sursum Corda:** [▶ 90:43](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=5443s) "God be with you." **And also with you.** "Lift up your fears, your hopes, your dreams." **We lift them up to God.** "Let us give thanks to our generous, imaginative God." **We joyfully give our thanks.**
**Great Thanksgiving (Lenten):** [▶ 91:01](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=5461s) "It is a joyous occasion when we come to give thanks to you, oh God, creator of heaven and earth. In this season of Lent, as we journey with you through the wilderness, through Judea and Galilee, and on the road to Jerusalem, may we pay attention to your work. You healed the hurting, fed the hungry, listened to the women, widows, and children. Though the empire attempted to silence you and stop your work, love persevered. Love grew, love prevailed. That same love which did not give in calls us to speak out. That same love which did not stay down calls us to stand up and to join in the work of thy kingdom come, which is the work of justice and love for all."
**Sanctus:** [▶ 92:08](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=5528s) "Holy, holy, holy Lord God of power and might. Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest."
**Words of Institution:** [▶ 92:27](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=5547s) "Knowing you have equipped us with all we need for the work ahead, we remember the night you gathered your friends to eat together in the midst of their fears and yours. It was a common meal transformed into elements of grace to be shared, remembered, and celebrated by generations upon generations."
"You took a simple loaf of bread, blessed it, broke it, shared it, saying: 'Take, eat. Do this in remembrance of me.'"
"Then you took a cup of wine, blessed it, passed it, saying: 'Drink from it all of you, for this is love poured out for you and for many.'"
**Mystery of Faith:** [▶ 94:03](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=5643s) "Because of these simple and remarkable acts, we offer ourselves to be your hands and feet as we proclaim the mystery of our faith: **Christ was executed. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.**"
**Epiclesis:** [▶ 94:19](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=5659s) "Holy imaginative God, you who dreamed and created a world full of colors, textures, shapes, sizes, depths, and heights. Help us remember your dream of a world made whole and complete through love and care. Transform these gifts of bread and cup into courage and strength for the work that lies ahead."
"The table has been set. Come beloveds, let's eat." [▶ 94:47](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=5687s)
_Communion received via intinction_ [▶ 94:59](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=5699s)
**Post-Communion Prayer of Thanksgiving:** [▶ 101:18](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=6078s) "Creator God, we thank you for these tangible gifts of bread and cup that feed our bodies and nourish our souls. May these blessings of grace be shared, not hoarded. Though we have been fed today at the table, may we still walk away hungry for justice, working for freedom and fullness for all of your creation. Amen."
#### *Hymn #249 — "The Church of Christ Cannot Be Bound" [▶ 101:54](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=6114s)
**Hymnal:** #249 **Author:** Adam M. L. Tice, 2005 **Tune:** AZMON, CM **Composer:** Carl G. Gläser, 1820; arr. Lowell Mason, 1839 **Copyright:** Words © 2005 by GIA Publications, Inc.
> The church of Christ cannot be bound by walls of wood or stone. Where charity and love are found, there can the church be known. True faith will open up the door and step into the street. True service will seek out the poor and ask to wash their feet. True love will not sit idly by when justice is denied. True mercy hears the homeless cry and welcomes them inside. If what we have, we freely share to meet our neighbor's need, then we extend the Spirit's care through every selfless deed.
#### *Affirmation of Faith [▶ 103:41](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=6221s)
_from The Work of Imagination_
**We believe in the ways of Jesus. We believe in sharing food, water, shelter, and healing care with everyone. We believe in freedom for captives, justice for victims, and deliverance for all who are enslaved. We believe peace comes from justice, not violence. We believe everyone is our neighbor, without exception. We believe children are precious and worthy of care. We believe, as Jesus did, that we find God among the poor, the marginalized, the weak, the imprisoned, and the rejected. We believe Jesus came, not merely to point to heaven, but to teach us how to bring heaven to earth. We believe and pray for God's will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.**
---
### Sending
#### *Charge & Benediction [▶ 104:51](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=6291s)
_from The Work of Imagination_
"Beloved children of God, as you return to the wild wilderness of everyday life, as you encounter every kind of person, cling to the ways of Jesus who helps us to imagine a world where love and justice thrive. Go out into the world working to make that world a reality this week. Amen."
"Abide with us, that through this life of doubts and hope and pain, an Easter of unending joy we may at last attain."
#### Postlude — "God Be With You 'til We Meet Again" [▶ 105:17](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=6317s)
Arr. Cathy Moklebust — Bells of St. John's
---
## Connections
### Related Notes
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### Related Bible Studies
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### Previous Sermon Notes
<!-- Link to last week's notes -->
---
## Announcements and Church Life
### This Week at St. John's
**Today (Sunday, March 1):** Bible Study on the Book of Esther, Chapter 2, 8 pm, Zoom (link in Friday e-blast)
**Monday, March 2:**
- 10:00 am Chi Gong/Zazen silent body energy and soulful meditation — Parlor 104
- 1:30 pm Monday Afternoon Book Study — Conference Room 111 (Chapter 3)
- 7:00 pm Boy Scouts — Fellowship Hall
**Tuesday, March 3:**
- 5:30 pm Yoga — Room 202
- 6:00 pm Ladies' Bible Study — Zoom
- 6:30 pm Cub Scouts — Fellowship Hall/then break into smaller groups
**Wednesday, March 4:**
- 7:00 pm CMC Lenten Service — St. John's
**Thursday, March 5:**
- 7:00 am Men's Breakfast — Texas Lunch
- 6:00 pm Bell Choir Practice — Bell Room 117
- 7:15 pm Choir Rehearsal — Choir Room 103
**Sunday, March 8:**
- 8:45 am Godly Play Class — Room 119
- 8:45 am SPARK! Elementary Church School Class — Room 115
- 8:45 am Teen Discussion Class — Room 206
- 8:45 am Upper Room Church School Class — Conference Room 111
- 8:45 am Wired Word Church School Class — Room 116
- 8:45 am Sunday Morning Caffeine Church Class — Parlor 104
- 10:00 am Sunday Worship — Sanctuary
### Upcoming Events
|Date|Event|Details|
|---|---|---|
|March 2|Monday Afternoon Book Study|Chapter 3 of Norman Wirzba's "Love's Braided Dance: Hope in a Time of Crisis" — Conference Room 111, 1:30 pm|
|March 4|CMC Lenten Service|7:00 pm at St. John's|
|March 8 & 15|Camp Sticky Bun Sale|$12/dozen, $7/half dozen — orders taken before and after church|
|March 10|Neighbors Food Hall|5-7 pm, 102 S. Main Street. RSVP to church office by March 9|
|March 16|Bible and a Beer|6:30 pm, Trojan Diner — 3rd Monday of the month|
|March 22|Camp Sticky Bun Sale|Freshly baked sticky buns, $2 each, after church|
|March (TBD)|Art Showcase|Congregation-wide art/craft display with optional silent auction benefiting the food pantry. Submissions needed ASAP — include a blurb about faith connection. Contact Roxanne Davenport, Diana Kongkeattikul, or the church office.|
|March 28|Nursery School Smith's Chicken Sale|At SJUCC|
|March 30|St. John's Craft Night|6 pm, Room 202, $15 — gourd birdhouse painting/decorating. Sign up by 3/23|
|April 25|Blueberry Bliss Spring Tea|1:30 pm, Fellowship Hall. Tickets $35 — on sale March 18|
### Additional Announcements
**Flowers at the Foot of the Cross** are given by Dick and Nancy Rebok in honor of their 70th wedding anniversary on March 2nd.
**Little Free Pantry:** Donations of nonperishable food items can be dropped off at the church office or placed in the grocery cart in the back lobby.
**March/April Upper Room** devotionals are available at the Welcome Center. Suggested donation of $1 for small print/$2 for large print. Copies available by mail — contact the church office.
**2025-year End Giving Statements** are available by request. Call the church office to receive yours by mail or email.
**Winter Weather:** If worship is canceled due to winter weather, a special e-blast will be sent out. M-F activities follow the CASD school district. Safety first!
**March First Fruits:** Lenten Projects supporting African Mission Healthcare, the Peru School Project, and the United Church of Christ Disaster Emergency Fund — supporting medical care in Africa, education in Peru, and disaster relief worldwide.
### Birthdays This Week
- 03/02 Mackenzie Miller
- 03/03 Skip Elliott
- 03/05 Rebecca Pound
### Prayer Requests
<!-- From the bulletin -->
---
## Church Information
- **Church:** St. John's United Church of Christ
- **Address:** Chambersburg, PA
- **Phone:** (717) 263-8593
- **Email:**
[email protected] /
[email protected]
- **Pastor:** Rev. Caroline E. Saxton — (641) 260-1868 (cell)
- **Office Administrator:** Tonya Schwartz
- **Music Director:** Gary Crum
- **Organist:** Barbara Motichka
- **Director of Children & Youth:** Roxanne Davenport
- **Pastor Emeritus:** The Rev. Stephen W. Hoffman
### Worship Participants
|Role|Name|
|---|---|
|Pastor|Rev. Caroline E. Saxton|
|Organist|Barbara Motichka|
|Choir Director|Gary Crum|
|Deacon in Charge|Susan Collier|
|Lector|Diana Kongkeattikul|
|Children's Message|Roxanne Davenport|
|Children's Corner|Rebecca Pound|
|Media Coordinators|Calvin Frantz and Muneath Ham|
|Mission Moment|John Briner|
|Bulletin Cover|"Disciple" © 2026 Illustrated Ministry|
### Mission Statement
> To grow in love of God and neighbor
### Nursery & Children
The "Nursery Nook in the Narthex" quiet area and infant/toddler space in the Parlor are available for children and families to use during worship. Age-appropriate activity bags are also available.
### Communion Note
All are welcome at Christ's table. To let the church office know that you communed today, please sign the black attendance pad found in each row. If you are communing from home, please contact the church office to let us know.
---
## Revision Notes
> [!note] Changes from initial draft The following corrections were made after cross-referencing the [YouTube recording](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc) with the original notes:
>
> **Name corrections (from audio transcript):**
>
> - "Doris Goldham (Cindy Herring's mother)" → **Doris Oldham (Cindy Maring's mother)** — audio at [▶ 74:23](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=4463s)
> - "Nancy and Dick Riva" → **Nancy and Dick Rebok** — per printed bulletin flowers announcement; audio at [▶ 78:41](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=4721s) renders as "Raybuck" (likely transcription artifact)
> - "Don Shaw asks prayers for his son David" → **Allan** asks prayers for his son David — audio at [▶ 79:17](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=4757s)
> - "Mary Lynn St. Jeremy has shingles on her face" → **Mary Lynn's son Jeremy** has shingles on his face — audio at [▶ 82:32](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=4952s) clearly says "Mary Lynn's son Jeremy"
> - "Susan has recently passed away" → **Betty Joe Rimmer's husband** recently passed away (Roxanne's college roommate) — audio at [▶ 73:17](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=4397s)
> - "Pastor Courtney gives thanks for moving her brother" → **Pastor Caroline (Rev. Saxton)** gives thanks — audio at [▶ 83:49](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=5029s) is the lead pastor speaking
>
> **Content additions:**
>
> - Added full Children's Message content (hourglass/beatitudes illustration by Roxanne) — [▶ 45:45](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=2745s)
> - Added Art Showcase announcement from Roxanne — [▶ 25:43](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=1543s)
> - Added Mission Moment content from John Briner — [▶ 27:42](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=1662s)
> - Added full Holy Communion liturgy from transcript — [▶ 89:37](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=5377s)
> - Added sermon opening prayer — [▶ 57:12](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=3432s)
> - Added Invitation to Giving text — [▶ 86:10](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=5170s)
> - Added Charge & Benediction text — [▶ 104:51](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEV5gnjEyJc&t=6291s)
> - Added Jim's thousand cranes illustration to Joys & Concerns
> - Added Virginia's specific details (baby Henry James, home health caregiver context)
> - Added Allan's specific surgical details (diagnosed age 7-8, aneurysm requiring open-heart)
> - Identified Vietnam play as _A Piece of My Heart_ by Shirley Lauro (1991)
> - Added Prayers of the People pastoral prayer text
> - Added Post-Communion Prayer of Thanksgiving text
> - YouTube timestamps added throughout all sections